Machine for removing packing from joints



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. W. FRENCH. MACHINE FOR REMOVING PACKING FROM JOINTS. No. 596,295. I Patented Dec, 28,1697.

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, D. W. FRENCH. MACHINE FOR REMOVING PACKING FROM JOINTS. No. 596,295. Patented Dec 28,1897.

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(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 3.

D. W. FRENCH. MACHINE FOR REMOVING PACKING PROM JOINTS.

No. 596,296. Patented Dec. 28, 1897.

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DAVID W. FRENCH, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR REMOVING PACKING FROM JOINTS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 596,295, dated December 28, 1897.

. Application filed April 8, 1897. Serial No. 631,216. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID W. FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hoboken, Hudson county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Machine for Removing Packing from Joints, of which the following is a specification.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, when it has been desired to remove packing, such as lead, from a joint between pipes or between pipes and branches or valves it has been customary to cut out the packing by means of a hammer and chisel or other tool or to melt out the packing by the,application of heat to the joint.- Under this practice it has often happened that the pipe or the adjacent hub or bell would be broken by the blows of the hammer or the influence of the heat applied.

It is the object of my invention to provide a machine that can be mounted upon a pipe or upon a bell or hub at or near the joint and which will operate a tool that is adapted to enter the joint between the pipes or between a pipe and the adjacent bell or hub and to travel around the pipe and also to be fed toward the packing to cut the latter out of the joint.

The invention consists in a frame adapted to be clamped around a pipe or a hub or bell, a tool carrier or ring adapted to be carried by said frame, and means for rotating the former around the latter, combined with a tool-holder connected with said carrier or ring and arranged to be fed in a line substantially parallel or at an angle to the axis of the pipe, or, in other words, in a direction perpendicular or at an angle to the plane of rotation of the carrier or ring, and means for feeding the tool-holder and tool toward the packing to be cut.

The invention further consists in a frame adapted to be clamped around a pipe or a hub or bell, a tool carrier or ring adapted to be carried by said frame, and means for rotating the former around the latter, combined with a tool-holder connected with said carrier or ring and arranged to be fed in a line plane of rotation of the carrier or ring, means for adjusting the tool-holder toward or from the pipe to be operated upon to accommodate different sizes of pipe, and means for feeding the tool-holder and tool toward the packing to be cut and at an angle to the line of adjustment of the to0lholder.

The invention also consists in the novel detailsof improvement and the combinations of parts that will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my improvements shown in position around a joint between a pipe and a hub or hell. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof looking from the left in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals and letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, 1 indicates a pipe or main, and 2 indicates a hub or bell, which may be on a pipe, branch, valve, or other part that connects with the pipe, the hub or hell having the usual bore to receive the end of pipe 1, and 3 is packingsuch, for instance, as leadin the space 2 between the end of pipe 1 and the hub or bell 2, all of which parts are usual or well known in the practice of connecting pipes, branches, and valves.

4 is a frame or ring adapted to surround the hub 2 or pipe 1 and to be firmly attached thereto. The frame 4 is divided or split transversely to enable it to be clamped around the hub or pipe, especially when they are beneath the surface of the ground, and said frame is shown provided with apertures 5 to receive bolts or screws to enable the parts 4; 4t of the frame to be firmly clamped together. The frame 4 may be secured upon the hub or pipe by screws 6, that pass through tapped apertures 6 in the frame. The frame 4: has a peripheral annular guideway 7, upon which a tool carrier or ring 8 is adapted to be mounted to rotate around the frame. The tool carrier or ring 8 is shown divided or split transversely to enable it to be clamped around the frame at when the latter is upon the hub or pipe, and said carrier or ring 8 is shown provided with apertured lugs 9 to receive bolts or screws 9 to hold the carrier or ring together. Suitable means are provided for rotating the carrier or ring 8 around the frame 4, and for this purpose I have shown the carrier or ring 8 as provided with gearteeth 10, that mesh with a pinion or gear wheel 11, shown carried by a shaft 12, journaled in hearings in a support or standard 13, carried by frame 4. The shaft 12 may be operated by a handle or other suitable means to cause the tool carrier or ring 8 to rotate around said frame 4.

The tool carrier or ring Sis adapted to carry a tool 14, that will enter the space 2 between the hub or bell 2 and the adjacent end of pipe 1 to cut out the packing or lead therein, and the line of feed of said tool is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, while the direction of motion of said tool for cutting the packing is substantially at right angles to said axis. For these purposes and to enable the tool to operate within hubs or bells of diiferent diameters I have shown the following arrangement: The tool carrier or ring 8 is provided with a standard or support 15, that is adapted to carry a tool-holder 16 in such manner that the tool can be fed toward the packing 3. For the purpose of enabling adjustment of the tool toward and from the axis of the tool carrier or ring 8, or, in other words, to operate within hubs or bells of different diameters, I have shown the tool-holder 16 as carried by an adjustable head 17, that is supported by and adapted to be adjusted in the standard 15.

I have shown the standard as provided with a guide or way 15, having dovetailed or inclined side walls 15, adapted to receive a projection or rib 17, carried by the head 17, the projection or rib 17 having side walls 17 that correspond to the walls 15", whereby the parts 15 and 17 can be accurately held together in different positions. A screw 18, carried by head 15, serves to hold the parts 15 and 17 firmly together, while permitting proper adjustment of head 17. The head 17 along its under side has a way 19, that is shown provided with inwardly-inclined or dovetailed sides 19, and the tool-holder is shown provided with a rib or projection 16, having side walls 16 corresponding to the walls 19. a is a gib held by a screw 1) and which may be interposed between the walls 16 and 19 to take up wear; but the gib a may be dispensed with by having the projection 16 properly fitted in the way 19. By the means shown the tool-holder 16 is so carried by the head 17 that it will slide therealong lengthwise of pipe 1. It is evident, however, that the connection between the parts 15, 17, and 16 can be changed, if desired, and, furthermore, that if it is notdesired to have the machine adaptable for different-sized hubs and pipes the parts 15 and 17 can be rigidly or permanently connected together.

In order to feed the tool toward the packing or lead 3 during the rotation of the carrier or ring 8, I provide a screw or threaded shaft 20, that is journaled in a bore or hearing 21 in the head 17 and which passes through a recess 22 in said head. At its inner end the screw is provided with a feed or star wheel 23, which abuts againts the inner surface of head 17, and at the inner side of bore or bearing 21 the screw 20 carries a collar 24, which may beheld by a pin passing therethrough and through screw 20 or otherwise. The bearing 21 and the parts 23 and 24C serve to permit the screw to rotate without havinglongitudinal movement. The screw 20 works in threads carried by the tool-holder 16, and for this purpose I have shown the holder 16 as provided with a projection or nut 26, that has a threaded aperture 26 to receive screw 20, and the screw 20 may also work in threads 20 in a recess in holder 16. The screw 20 may have a squared end to receive a tool to rotate it. It is evident that as the screw 20 rotates the tool-holder 16 will be caused to travel along the head 17. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the tool 14 to the tool-holder 16.

In order to feed the tool-holder and tool toward the packing while the machine is in operation or automatically, I provide a finger, lug, or stop 27, which is carried by frame 4 in such position that as the carrier 8 travels around the frame 1 the star or feed wheel 23 will encounter it (the finger or lug) to cause screw 20 to turn to feed the tool-holder and the tool toward the joint or packing. The finger or lug 27 is preferably detachably c011- nected with frame 4, and for this purpose the finger or lug is shown provided with a plate or web 27, having apertures to receive screws 27 that enter corresponding threaded apertures in frame 1. Finger or lug 27 is adapted, as shown, to operate the tool-holder for the largest-sized hub or pipe for which the machine is adapted, and when the machine is to be adjusted upon a smaller-sized pipe, hub, or hell the tool-holder 16 is adjusted toward the pipe and a finger or lug 28, similar to finger or lug 27 and similarly carried by frame 4, is interposed in the path of the feed or star wheel 23. It will be found convenient in some cases to keep both fingers or lugs 27 28 permanently attached to frame 4, and when this is done the way 15 in standard 15 (or the standard 15 as well) is inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the frame 1, as in Fig. 2, so that when the tool-holder 16 and its carrying-head 17 are adjusted toward or from the pipe the star or feed wheel 23 will be carried out of line with the finger or lug 27 or 28, respectively, and into line with the proper one to operate the feed-screw 20. It is evident, however, that only one finger or lug, as 27, need be provided with provision like the threaded apertures in frame 4 for screws 28 for adjusting it relatively to the adjustment of the head 17. In the latter case the way 15 need not beinclined, as the star or feed wheel ICO 23 would be free to travel, owing to the absence of the extra finger or lug.

If the joint from which the packing is to be removed is located beneath the surface of the ground, a suitable excavation is made around it. The frame 4 is secured around the hub, bell, or pipe. The tool-carrier 8 is then clamped around said frame and adjusted for operation, the tool-holder being adjusted in proper position relatively to the pipe and the joint, and the tool is adjusted so as to enter the space 2 and to cut the packing therein. The carrier 8 is thereupon rotated around the joint and the toolholder and tool are thus carried around the pipe in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe, while at the same time the tool 14: is fed toward the joint against the packing therein by the feeding devices parallel to the longitu dinal axis of the pipe. The tool is thus carried bodily around within the hub or bell to cut out the packin g, by which means the packing can be saved, which will be an item of economy where lead packing has been used.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construction shown and described, as they may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is 1'. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, with a movable tool-holder supported by said carrier or ring, and means for guiding and for feeding said tool-holder independently of the carrier or ring, and in aline at an angle to the plane of rotation of said carrier or ring, substantially asset forth.

2. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, said carrier or ring being provided with a guide or way that extends at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, a tool-holder carried by said guide or way to travel therein, and means for feeding said tool-holder parallel to said guide or way and independently of the carrier or ring, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or. pipe, a carrier or ring, and means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, said carrier or ring being provided with a guide or way that extends at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, a tool-holder carried by said guide or way to travel therein, a screw car-' ried by said carrier or ring and journaled in bearings carried thereby, and means to operate said screw, said tool-holder having screw-threads to receive said screw, whereby as the screw'rotates the tool-holder will be fed in a line at an angle to the plane of rotation of said carrier or ring and independently thereof, substantially as set forth.

I. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring, means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, said carrier or ring being provided with a guide or way that extends at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, a tool-holdercarried by said guide or way to travel therein, a screw car ried by said carrier or ring and journaled in bearings carried thereby, said tool-holder having screw-threads to receive the screw, a feed-wheel carried by said screw, and a finger or lug carried by said frame to operate said wheel, substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for rotating the latter around said frame, with a head adj ustably carried by said carrier or ring, a tool-holder movably supported by said head to travel therealong, and means for feeding said toolholder, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around said frame, with a head supported by said carrier or ring, said head having aguide or way that extends toward the bore in said carrier or ring, a toolholder carried by said guide or way to travel therealong, and means for feeding said toolholder, substantially as set forth.

7. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around said frame, with a head supported by said carrier or ring, said head having a guide or way that extends toward the bore in said carrier or ring, said head having a recess 22, a tool-holder having a projection guided by said guide or way and an extension provided with a threaded aperture or bore, said extension being adapted to travel along said recess, a screw fitting in said threaded aperture or bore, said head having a bearing for said screw, and means for operating said screw to feed the tool-holder, substantially as set forth.

8. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, and a standard carried by said carrier or ring, with a head adj ustably connected with said standard and having a guide or way that extends toward the bore in said carrier or ring, a toolholder carried by said way, and means-for feeding said holder along said guide or way, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for removing packing from joints, the combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and r0- tating the latter around the frame, and a standard carried by said carrier or ring and having a guide or way, with a head guided by said guide or way, means for adjustably holding said head upon said standard, said head having a guide or way that extends toward the bore in the carrier or ring, a tool-holder guided by said guide or way, and means for feeding said t0ol-holder along said guide or way, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a frame adapted. to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around said frame, and a standard carried by said carrier or ring and having a guide or way, with a head guided by said guide or way, means for adj ustably holding said head upon said standard, said head having a guide or way that extends in a line perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said carrier or ring, a tool-holder guided by said guide or way, a screw carried by said head and arranged to feed said tool-holder, a feedwheel carried by said screw, and a finger or lug adapted to engage said wheel in the different positions of adjustment of said head, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a frame adapted to be secured around a hub, bell or pipe, a carrier or ring and means for guiding and rotating the latter around the frame, a standard carried by said carrier or ring and having a guide or way that is inclined inwardly toward the carrier, with a head adj ustably carried by said guide or way, said head having a guide or way that extends toward the bore of said carrier or ring, a tool-holder carried by said guide or way, a screw journaled in said head and meshing with threads carried by said tool-holder, a feed-wheel carried by said screw, and fingers or lugs carried by said frame at different distances from the axis thereof to engage said feed-wheel in different positions of its adjustment, substantially as set forth.

D. \V. FRENCH.

Witnesses '1. F. BoURNE, JAMEs MCKITTRICK. 

